ANNOUNCEMENT Knights Templar Eye Foundation - Change in Direction With the passage of the new Healthcare Reform Bill by Congress and a number of other related events, the Trustees of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. on August 14, 2010, voted to move out of case processing and redirect the dollars allocated for treatment to research and education. Effective December 31, 2010, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation will no longer be participating in direct patient care except as is currently done with the Seniors Eye Care Program in partnership with Eye Care America and the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. CLICK -> HERE There were a number of other circumstances involved in the decision such as compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy regulations, computer software replacement, staff retirement, etc., but primarily, the passage of national healthcare was the underlying factor. The need for our services will be greatly reduced or eliminated. Further, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation had moved over the years from primarily treating children to almost exclusively treating adults for cataracts. Additionally, our cases were processed primarily in only about 25% of the United States due to state government programs. The trustees further felt that research benefits everyone’s eyesight no matter where they live, whether in this country or in the other countries where the Grand Encampment has Grand and Subordinate Commanderies. We have learned over the years that our efforts in funding pediatric ophthalmology research have been the primary reason that we have had fewer and fewer children with strabismus (crossed eyes) to treat. Our research dollars have helped develop new, non-surgical treatments for this problem. Your Trustees are excited about the prospects of being able to benefit more of humanity by redirecting your generosity from treating 2,000 individuals per year to benefiting untold millions in generations to come. REFERENCE: November 2010 Edition, Knight Templar Magazine, page 21 For more information contact: Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. Robert W. Bigley 1033 Long Prairie Road, Suite 5 Flower Mound TX 75022-4230 Phone Number - 214-888-0220 Fax Number - 214-888-0230 email Manager@KTEF.US Last Updated: December 29, 2011 Copyright © 2003-2011 The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.  All rights reserved.